How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my sould can reach, when feeling out of sight for the ends of Being and ideal Grace. I love thee to the level of every day's most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. I love thee freely, as man strive for right. I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. I love thee with the passion put to use in my old griefs and with my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose with my lost saints. I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning |